- Barcelona look in a commanding position in the transfer race for Mesut Ozil
- Manchester United are also interested, but Ozil can negotiate with foreign clubs from January
- Barca are understood to be preparing a huge contract offer for the Germany international
- READ MORE: Wenger ready to make bold Ozil decision to help Arsenal strike special transfer deal
Barcelona currently look in pole position to beat Manchester United to the transfer of Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil with a huge contract on offer this January.
The Germany international is heading towards the end of his Arsenal contract and is free to start negotiating a move for next summer with foreign clubs from January.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ozil is set to be handed a whopping £350,000 per week by Barcelona as they look ready to give him the kind of big payday he’s after.
Ozil, 29, will be a big loss for Arsenal, though the Mirror claim the club are considering cashing in on him while they still can this winter, as it could be preferable to losing him on a free transfer next summer.
MORE: Arsenal transfer news
Still, this is far from ideal for Arsenal after their unconvincing start to the season, with Arsene Wenger in dire need of a squad full of top class players performing at their best.
Ozil shone in the recent North London Derby win over Tottenham, showing just what he can do when he performs at his best.
This could also be a blow for Manchester United after repeated links with Ozil, whom the Mirror recently suggested was leaning strongly towards a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
However, the former Real Madrid man shone in his previous stint in La Liga and looks a player who’d fit in perfectly with the style of play at the Nou Camp.